There are a lot of different types of birth control devices or pills for women on the market today. In fact, rarely in history has there been as many choices as we have today to control our reproduction.
One of the ways that is gaining popularity is with an IUD device that is implanted in the uterus. However, if you have read about the Paragard IUD lawsuit then you may be wondering if that is a good and safe option for you.
While defective devices can happen and cause some serious problems, it is rare. There are a lot of good reasons to want an IUD over other types of birth control. Here are some of the reasons you may want to try using one.
No hormones
It may seem unnatural to insert a device into your uterus, but the reality is that this is one of the more natural ways to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. The reason is that these devices don’t send any hormones into your system.
Everybody reacts differently to hormonal birth control with some women reporting that they have a much lower libido when taking a pill or a shot. Sometimes the hormones react with an imbalance you may already have.
Women with thyroid problems often have a hard time with hormone based birth control options if they are able to use them at all.
In fact, there are a lot of reasons to avoid an estrogen based birth control that limits how many women can use them. If you are getting treatment for breast cancer, for instance. If you have a history of blood clots or high blood pressure then this is also an option to avoid.
Even if you are breastfeeding it is not advised to start taking an estrogen based birth control as it affects milk production.
The copper coil in the IUD is what stops the conception from happening, so there are no hormones raging in your body.
It allows for rapid fertility when you stop
One of the side effects that many women don’t think too much about is how long it takes to get pregnant after using a pill or shot with hormones.
It takes quite a bit of planning to know when to stop using the pill when you decide you want to get pregnant. And since everybody is different, there is no telling how long it could take. It might take a few months or over a year.
This adds difficulty to planning out your pregnancy.
With an IUD, you can return to fertility in your next cycle after having removed the device. This is as close to instant as you can get.
They are low maintenance
When you have an IUD, you get years of not having to think about your birth control. It’s as much ‘set it and forget it’ as you can get. There is no remembering to take a pill or trying to keep track of if you took it or not. You don’t have to remember when to schedule a shot.
Once you have the IUD inserted, you will need to check in with your doctor after the first month to make sure it is working alright. Then, occasionally you may have to check the strings on the bottom. In most cases, you don’t have to do anything after the initial check-up.
Helen Bradfield did her degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. She has a particular interest in mental health and well-being.
